It was McCarthy who wanted out!
 

Just because Haslet offered him an extension last year does not mean that things that went on this season didn\'t cause Haslet to change his mind about the guy. Maybe Has finally realized that McCarthy was part of the problem and rather than dissing him, just let him leave. That\'s a pretty decent act.

It was McCarthy who wanted out!
 

There\'s absolutely no way to argue that money wasn\'t a big factor here... BUT... why would a guy leave this offense and these weapons to go to a team with very little prospect of success in the next few years?

Maybe SF was the final destination b/c of money, but it seems that the decision to leave, no matter where he landed, was made earlier. Does that suggest he didn\'t believe in the team, Haslett, Brooks, the org, the other coaches and players? Dunno, but such an implication isn\'t that far reaching.

Likewise - simply b/c he didn\'t burn bridges when he left (in the media no less) does not mean that he actually chose to leave. I just left a job and I left cordially, but there was a mutual understanding that we both pretty much f---ing hated each other. Point is: if your initial instinct told you he was getting pushed out, I wouldn\'t abandon that feeling simply b/c he said \"it was just time to go\" in the press.

I would bet this was mutual. I think McCarthy probably felt lucky that Haslett took the brunt of the Brooks backlash - a good amount of which he probably deserved - he doubted the team\'s ability to succeed, and may not have wanted to be associated with what he believes to ulitimately be a losing org.

Likewise, I think the team and especially Haslett and the FO probably believed that the team had the elements necessary to be a top 10 or even top 5 offense. There seemed to be frustration and disappointment with the offense since the 7-2 start of the 2002 season. Moreover, the team needed a scapegoat - they couldn\'t possibly sit through this offseason without making changes at major coaching positions. Venturi is Benson\'s buddy. If Haslett wasn\'t going, McCarthy was the odd man out.

Overall, I think both wanted out, and both got what they wanted. Now let\'s see if the team ends up better off... or worse.